Our school was founded in 1986 by John Ruskin, who was Sanford Meisner's apprentice at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York.

About our school

John Ruskin is honored to be one of the 21 teachers since 1936 who were hand-picked and trained by Sanford Meisner himself to teach the Meisner Technique.

John's dedication is to preserve the authenticity of the technique as Meisner intended it to be taught. He has dedicated his life to teaching this technique because he believes it is not only the key to breathtakingly authentic acting but also has the power to transform lives.

Since 1986, the Ruskin School has been guiding students toward creating and maintaining an acting career and connecting them with the deepest parts of themselves through the Meisner Technique Program. The program’s power has created a strong artistic community that usually continues to work together after graduating from the two-year program in either the Graduate Class or in shows at the Ruskin Group Theatre when not working in film and television.

Our acting school also offers a Scene Study with Master Teachers Class, which gives our actors the opportunity to to work with industry professionals. In our Young Actors Classes, we provide acting classes for children and teens in the Meisner Technique to support them as they start their careers and develop deeper confidence in themselves.